General relativistic effects in quantum interference of "clocks"

Abstract

Quantum mechanics and general relativity have been each successfully tested in numerous experiments. However, the regime where both theories are jointly required to explain physical phenomena remains untested by laboratory experiments, and is also not fully understood by theory. This contribution reviews recent ideas for a new type of experiments: quantum interference of "clocks", which aim to test novel quantum effects that arise from time dilation. "Clock" interference experiments could be realised with atoms or photons in near future laboratory experiments.

13 pages, 5 figures; proceeding of 8th Symposium on Frequency Standards and Metrology, Potsdam 2015; discussion address questions asked at the Symposium